Harvey Grunow

Harvey A. Grunow

Age 77, died peacefully October 10, 2021. Preceded in death by grandson, Kelton Vavrosky.  Survived by wife, Joyce; children, Tim (Tammy), Gretchen (Chuck) Vavrosky; grandchildren, Taylor, Taran, Kaylin and Kylie; great-grandchildren, T.J. and Estella; other family and friends.

Harvey Grunow was very proud of his military service. He spent three years active duty army in the 82nd Airborne, earning a Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB) in the Dominican Republic. He would often say it was his Airborne training that kept him going when things got tough.  He also spent 19 years with the Minnesota Army National Guard. He loved music having to do with being a patriot.

He was an engineer on the Soo Line and Canadian Pacific Railroad for over 35 years. Harvey’s first 12 years of life were spent in North East Minneapolis. During his teenage years he spent time in the Stillwater, Minnesota area and also in North Carolina. He graduated from high school at Stecoah School in North Carolina with 11 other classmates. He often bragged about being the fastest runner in his class!

He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, and loved looking at vintage automobiles, his favorite being Studabakers. He had his private pilots license. He loved to read, loved to play cribbage, was very knowledgeable in history especially Civil War History. He often claimed that his great grandfather fired the last shot of the Civil War in the east. Other interests include finding the best bakery or the greasiest hamburger joint in town. His stomach could handle the grease, and sugar; however, when it came to spicy, he claimed pancakes could be spicy.

He had a special love for his family. He was happy to either be with or talk to them in his last days during his life on earth. He says, ”I suppose I lived a pretty good life.”

Memorial service Wednesday, October 27, 2021, 2:00 P.M. at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater with a gathering of family and friends beginning at 1:00 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family for a future scholarship fund in memory of Kelton Vavrosky.